Pollard and Redding give a scouting report on Orlovsky

Pictures of the Ravens game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.

Matt Vensel

The Ravens are perhaps too familiar with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who has beaten them in eight straight meetings, including the postseason. But with Manning out with a neck injury Sunday, they will get a chance to take out a decade of frustration on Dan Orlovsky.

So who the heck is Dan Orlovsky? A fifth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2005, Orlovsky has bounced around the league, playing for three teams in seven seasons. He has completed 58.8 percent of his career passes for 2,154 yards and 10 touchdowns against nine interceptions.

But in the 17 games he has appeared in during his career, Orlovsky’s teams have never won a game.

“Dan’s a good player, man. He knows how to sling the rock,” said Ravens safety Bernard Pollard, who was teammates with Orlovsky during his two years with the Houston Texans. “We all know and understand he’s not [No.] 18 [Manning]. He does, too. But he’s going to be ready to go.”

Ravens defensive end Cory Redding played four seasons with Orlovsky in Detroit -- including the infamous 0-16 season in 2008 -- and said that when he watched tape of Indianapolis’ 31-24 loss to New England last week, he saw the same “gunslinger” he practiced against in Detroit.

“Coming out of college -- he lit it up in his little bowl game -- so when he stepped out onto the field and was throwing it around in practice, he [showed that] he’s got a strong arm,” Redding said. “For the most part, he’s going to be a pocket passer and sit back there and throw it.”

He added, “It’s good to see he’s still living the dream, but unfortunately, he’s playing against us this weekend.”